Chinese Han Style Bronze Dragon Turtle

A pair of ceramic male figures modelled standing in dynamic poses, likely playing a game of cuju, each wearing a floor-length robe and balancing a ball on one foot; one figure leaning forwards with his arms held behind his back, looking down towards the ball balanced on the end of his raised right foot; one figure moving his arms in opposite directions in an attempt to regain his balance, head leaning left, his right leg bent across his body at the knee, balancing a ball on the heel of his foot; each with semi-naturalistic facial features and hair tied in a top knot; extensive remains of polychrome pigmentation. 6.85 kg total, 38.5-42.5 cm high



Ex Hong Kong collection. London Mayfair gallery, UK. Accompanied by thermoluminescence analysis report nos. C122k26 and C122k25 from Oxford Authentication. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11697-199217.

Cuju is the earliest recorded game of football which involved kicking a ball through a net without the use of the hands.

A substantial hollow bronze 'pagoda' stupa with three-tiered square and stepped base showing bodhi leaves, flaming jewels and foliage tendrils respectively, surmounted by a pierced frieze, each side depicting a seated Buddha flanked by standing figures and clouds; with triple pitched and hipped roof elements rising above pierced wall panels; in turn all surmounted by a column with five graduated discs affixed and terminating in a four-lobed flammiform element. 4.9 kg, 59 cm

Fine condition.

Acquired 1960s to early 1970s. ‘Buckingham Collection’, the late Nik Douglas (1944-2012), renowned author, curator and Asian art expert. Accompanied by Nik Douglas's collection cataloguing pages. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant ‘Out of Uddiyana’ exhibition catalogue pages including an image of this lot featured in one of the display cases. This lot has also been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 10493-170984.

A rectangular ceramic brick displaying Buddha in an ankle-length robe beneath a canopy, in raised relief within a rectangular niche, his hands held in the varada mudra of charity and compassion. 3.7 kg, 34 x 16 cm



Acquired 1970-1990s. Ex Hong Kong collection. From a private West Country collection.